The generalization of electronic invoicing postponed

In 2024, electronic invoicing was to be imposed on companies in France. Last month, however, an Ipsos survey for Sopra Steria Next and Kolecto highlighted the persistent lack of maturity of small companies.

Of the executives surveyed, 32% said they would not be ready on time. This barometer seems to correspond to a certain reality of the level of preparation of French organizations. On July 28, the Ministry of Finance decreed a postponement of the measure, which had been planned for several years.

A gain of 4.5 billion euros per year for companies

The application is delayed, of course, but not the ambition, nor is the justification for the generalization of electronic invoicing wanted by the government questioned. For Bercy, the benefits are indisputable.

“The generalization of electronic invoicing will eventually represent a gain of 4.5 billion euros per year for small and medium-sized companies. It is also a lever for simplifying and modernizing relations between the tax administration and companies.”

To allow its entry into force, a qualified close collaboration between the administration and all stakeholders has been established since 2021, claims the Ministry of Finance of Bruno Le Maire.

A new date to guarantee the best possible conditions

“This collaboration has continued through regular consultation with professional federations, companies and software publishers throughout the first half of 2023,” he continues in a statement.

It is therefore within the framework of these exchanges that it has been decided to postpone beyond July 1, 2024. The announced purpose: “to give the necessary time for the success of this structuring reform for the economy.”

When will it come into force? Bercy specifies that the new deadline will be defined as part of the work on the adoption of the finance law for 2024. The date aims to “guarantee the 4 million companies concerned a transition to electronic invoicing in the best possible conditions.”